Phosphuga

Leach, 1817

Black Snail Beetle

Species Guides

1

Phosphuga is a Eurasian of flightless carrion beetles containing a single , Phosphuga atrata. are that hunt snails, insects, and earthworms, using an elongated neck to access snail shells. The genus has been historically unstable in classification, sometimes treated as a subgenus of Silpha.

Phosphuga by (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Phosphuga by (c) Mick Talbot, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Phosphuga atrata by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phosphuga: //fɒsˈfjuːɡə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Europe (including UK), Russia (European Russia, Siberia, Russian Far East, Kuril Islands), Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, India (Kashmir), China (Heilongjiang), and introduced to Iceland.

Similar Taxa

  • SilphaPhosphuga has been historically confused with or included in Silpha due to similar ; both share oval body shape and placement in tribe Silphini, but Phosphuga is distinguished by its elongated neck and flightless condition.

Sources and further reading